Category Archives: Kentucky Horse Shows

*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Kiersten Litzinger and Baroness Blixen Win Adult Amateur Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Kiersten Litzinger and Baroness Blixen posted the high score of the day during the Adult Amateur 36-49 Hunters at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2012 – The Murphy Ring was alive with hunter action throughout the third day of the Kentucky Spring Classic, with horse and rider combinations vying for the top ribbons in the Adult Amateur Hunter divisions. Kiersten Litzinger navigated Baroness Blixen to the top of the leader board, posting the high score of the day and taking the opening day lead in the Adult Amateur 36-49 Hunters. Sarah Sturges aboard Second Shot swept the over fences in the Adult Amateur 18-35 Hunters, while later in the day, junior rider Victoria Colvin and VIP Z won the Pessoa/USEF Hunter Seat Medal.

Out of a field of 15 competitors, Kiersten Litzinger and Baroness Blixen posted an imposing lead. Although Missy Luczak-Smith and Surf’s Up took the first place during the first round over fences, Litzinger guided Baroness Blixen to the first place ribbon during their second round over fences. The pair rose to the top, and posting a score of 90, which was the highest scoring trip of the day. They also earned the blue ribbon for their efforts in the under saddle.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Paige Johnson and Monopoly Roll to Victory in Amateur-Owner Jumpers at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Paige Johnson and Monopoly won the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 18, 2012 – Today, the amateur and junior jumper riders had the opportunity to showcase their skills in the Kentucky Horse Park’s Rolex Stadium during the Kentucky Spring Classic. Topping the High Amateur-Owner Jumpers, Paige Johnson piloted Monopoly to a double-clear victory, and also claimed third with her second mount Amagedon 3. Meagan Nusz slid into third aboard Banana D’Ive Z, also completing a fault-free short course. In the High Junior Jumpers, Abigail McArdle claimed the blue ribbon with her quick and clear round aboard Cosma 20, while Emanuel Andrade placed second and third with Costa and Tiny Tim, respectively.

There was not a cloud in the sky as riders prepared for the High Jumper events. Today, Olaf Petersen, Jr.’s first round track included a vertical-oxer double combination and an oxer-vertical double combination, each causing errors for some of the entries. For the jump-off riders had to use an open gallop across large parts of the ring to shave seconds off their time, while also leaving the delicate fences in place.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 Capture $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic

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Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 won the $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2012 – It was another speedy night at the Kentucky Horse Park, as six double-clear finishers raced for the top prize in the $32,000 Hagyard Lexington Classic during the Kentucky Spring Classic. Proving that they are quickly reaching top form once again, veteran duo Ashlee Bond and Cadett 7 galloped over the short track in 38.54 seconds with all the fences in place to earn the lion’s share of the prize. Reed Kessler, often nicknamed Speedy Reedy, lived up to her name with Cylana to place second, while Ireland’s Richie Moloney took home third aboard Slieveanorra.

Germany’s Olaf Petersen Jr. built a technical track for tonight’s 38 horse and rider combinations, featuring a vertical-vertical double combination, a wide liverpool oxer, an oxer-vertical double combination, a triple bar, and vertical-double combination. Ten pairs were able to complete the first round without fault and advance to the jump-off, where they had to show over two wide oxers to the vertical-oxer double combination, a skinny vertical, the wide liverpool, and finish over a vertical away from the gate. The course twisted and turned through the arena, and offered many opportunities to gallop across the ground and increase the speed.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Lone Star Emerges Champion with Hunt Tosh in Performance Hunters at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Hunt Tosh navigated Lone Star to his comeback, earning the Performance 3'6" Hunters Championship at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 17, 2012 – The day was filled with intense competition as top riders vied for the championship awards in their divisions today at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Louise Serio led the way with Casino, dominating the First Year Greens, while Scott Stewart earned the championships in his respective divisions aboard Beholden and Dedication. Hunt Tosh guided Cold Harbor to the Regular Conformation Hunter Championship and Rosalynn to the High Performance Hunters highest honors. The distinguished Lone Star returned to the ring for the second day of competition, earning a second day of straight 88s with Tosh in the irons, eventually taking the Performance 3’6″ Hunters Championship.

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, were victors at the end of the day in the Performance 3’6″ Hunters, as the veteran pair began their return to the show rung. The duo earned both blue ribbons in yesterday, and picked up the second place ribbon during their first round over fences today and the third place in the under saddle. Hayley Barnhill and Lennon, owned by Reid Patton of Nashville, TN, took the reserve award.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Hunt Tosh and Lone Star Make a Sweeping Comeback at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Hunt Tosh and Lone Star swept the Performance 3'6" Hunters on the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG’

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – Today marked the first day of the Kentucky Spring Classic as horse and rider combinations gathered at the Stonelea Arena at the Kentucky Horse Park. The professional divisions started out the morning, seeing some of the nation’s most talented riders vie for the top honors in their respective divisions. Riders who rode to the blue today included Victoria Colvin, Scott Stewart, Havens Schatt and Hunt Tosh. The competition was fierce, but it was Tosh who came out on top in three of his divisions, including with the infamous Lone Star, who made a clean sweep during his comeback in the Performance 3’6″ Hunter division.

Although it was the Performance 3’6″ Hunters who rounded out the day, the hunter excitement was nowhere near at an end. Tosh navigated Lone Star, owned by Dr. Betsee Parker of Middleburg, VA, to a clean sweep of the division. It has been well over a year since Lone Star last showed; however, it appeared as though the horse did not miss a beat as he posted the division’s top scores of 88 in both rounds over fences. Havens Schatt guided Just Fred, owned by R. Bruce Duchossois of Aiken, SC, to scores of 87 and 85, taking the second place honors.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Reed Kessler and Ligist Earn 1.45m Open Jumper Blue at Kentucky Spring Classic

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Reed Kessler and Ligist won the 1.45m Open Jumper class at the Kentucky Spring Classic. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – Sunny skies greeted the exhibitors as they kicked off the Kentucky Spring Classic in the Rolex Stadium of the Kentucky Horse Park. Once again it was Reed Kessler at the top of the leader board as she piloted Ligist to the only double clear effort in today’s 1.45m Open Jumper class to earn the blue ribbon prize. Earlier in the day, Andre Rodriguez and Remonta Eden sped to victory in the 1.40m Open Jumpers, just topping Kessler and Onisha, who placed second during the speed class.

Germany’s Olaf Petersen Jr. built a technical track for the 1.45m Open Jumper class that snaked through the Rolex Stadium and included a triple bar, two double combinations, and an open water option. Only two horse and rider combinations were able to master the first round and advance to the jump-off, which featured three new fences and a double combination.

Reed Kessler, of Lexington, KY, and Ligist were third on the posted order, and made the first round look easy as they made their way over each obstacle. Advancing to the short course, Kessler picked up a quick gallop, and despite a hard rub at the first part of the double combination, they left each rail intact and dashed across the finish line in 32.588 seconds.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group, Show Jumping

Louise Serio Leads Hallway Feeds National Hunter Derby Series

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Louise Serio and Corvine win the lead off $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 16, 2012 – The Kentucky Spring Horse Shows began on Wednesday, May 9, 2012, and one of the highlight events was the kick-off of the 2012 $45,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby Series, sponsored by Hallway Feeds. The Hallway Feeds Series consists of six national hunter derby events to be held during the 2012 show series at the Kentucky Horse Park. Following the final event, cash prizes totaling $15,000 will be awarded to the series’ leading riders.

The Kentucky Spring Horse Show, held May 9-13, 2012, featured the lead-off event on Saturday evening with the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby. The top riders from across the nation gathered to compete over a challenging course and vie for the winning title and valuable points towards the $15,000 Leading Rider Awards. At the end of the night it was Louise Serio and Corvine who took led the victory gallop, giving Serio the lead in the standings. The Kentucky Spring Classic, May 16-20, 2012, will host the second of the six derby events in the series, the $5,000 Hallway Feeds USHJA National Hunter Derby, on Saturday, May 19, in the Stonelea Arena.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Championships, Competitions, Events, Hunter/Equitation, Kentucky Horse Shows, Phelps Media Group

Cassidy Zimmerman Wins NAL/WIHS Children’s Hunter Classic at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

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Cassidy Zimmerman and Portafina take the NAL/WIHS Children's Hunter Classic Championship. Photo By: Kendall Bierer/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 13, 2012 – The NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic welcomed the final day of the Kentucky Spring Horse show today. Although the riders were greeted with sheets of rain throughout the duration of the morning and afternoon, this did not lessen the competition as horse and rider combinations vied for the top honors in their respective divisions. It was Cassidy Zimmerman who not only picked up the reserve championship honors in the Children’s 15-17 Hunters, but also triumphed in the NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic with Portafina, riding to the overall total of 159 points.

The early afternoon promised talent for the last class of the day, the NAL/WIHS Children’s Classic, with several high scores and promising hunter rounds. The champion of the Children’s 14 and Under Hunter division, Avery Hinson of Plain City, OH, and Galiano, posted the high score of the division with their second round score of an 81 to carry over into the Classic as their first round total. The duo picked up the first and third place ribbons over fences today, and combined with their honors from yesterday, they picked up the division’s championship honors. Jane Brooks of Cincinnati, OH, and Lifeline, rode to the reserve championship title with their consistent second place ribbons throughout the over fences and under saddle.

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*Featured/Spotlights, Competitions, Events, Kentucky Horse Shows, Show Jumping, USEF

Deslauriers and Urico Win in the Rain, Claim Top Honors in the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix

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Mario Deslauriers and Urico (Shawn McMillen Photography)

Lexington, KY – The second of four 2012 US Show Jumping Team Observation Events came to a close Sunday afternoon at the Kentucky Horse Park. With 16 entries contesting the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix, which served as the second class of the Observation Event held in conjunction with the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Grey skies and rain could not deter the 14 members of the USEF Long List for the U.S. Show Jumping Team for the 2012 Olympic Games from showcasing their talents over Richard Jeffrey’s 14 obstacle course.

In the first round of competition four combinations, all from the long list, were able to produce faultless efforts and qualify for the jump-off.

In the jump-off, Mario Deslauriers and Urico were untouchable as they cruised to a fault free effort in a time of 35.15 seconds and claimed top honors in the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix.

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Mario Deslauriers & Urico Win $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at Kentucky Spring Horse Show

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Mario Deslauriers and Urico won the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix at the Kentucky Spring Horse Show. Photo By: Rebecca Walton/PMG

Lexington, KY – May 13, 2012 – Rain plagued the Kentucky Horse Park throughout the day at the Kentucky Spring Classic, but it did not stop the country’s top competitors as they entered the Rolex Stadium for the $75,000 Commonwealth Grand Prix. As the second U.S. Show Jumping Team Observation Event during the show, today’s grand prix event featured a challenging scope test, which only three Olympic hopefuls were able to master. Mario Deslauriers piloted Urico to the fastest clear jump-off to claim the victory, while 17-year-old Reed Kessler placed second aboard Mika with the other fault free round. Beezie Madden also advanced to the short course with both Simon and Cortes ‘C’, but placed third and fourth, respectively, after earning four faults with each.

The first round of Richard Jeffery’s demanding track included to wide oxers in the first line, followed by an even larger triple bar. There was also an open water to an airy vertical-vertical double combination. Riders then headed away from home through an oxer-oxer-vertical triple combination and finished over a long line with two liverpools. Eight of today’s 16 entries managed to complete the course with just four faults to their name, attesting to the level of the competitors in the ring. Four horses left every rail in the cups and advanced to the short course.

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